Ok I think Ive finnally got enough to get myself a new computer. This is what Im looking at so far


Biostar Tforce 6100 AM2
AMD Sempron 64 3000+ AM2
512mb G.Skill Extreme Series DDR2 667
FSP 450w PSU w/ dual 18amp 12v rails

I will probably addin a seprerate graphics card fairly soon( x1800xl) and another stick of ram. Ill be running dual hard drives and dual dvd drives. The only thing Im not sure about is the overclockability of this rig. Ive heard good things about Biostar's tforce series and the semprons but im not entirely sure about the ram.

Also could I get away with a cheaper PSU- perphaps the 400FSP or a 430w Thermaltake?

Thanks

Well I'm aware that it's s754 and a different CPU, but me Dex 'n' Reza managed to get a Sempr0n 3300+ to ~2.6ghz. Custom PC magazine got the same CPU to 2.75ghz, so I reckon a decent mobo is the main thing and it'll overclock like mad. Still, I'm not sure how AM2 affects overclockability.

The AM2 Semprons are based on the Manilla core, and as such, will probably not share the same overclocking properties as their s754 cousins.

Ive read many reviews and articles that say the AM2 Sempron actually performs worse than the s754 version... maybe something to think about.

You may be better off just getting the Athlon 64 3000+.

Quote: Originally Posted by Dex The AM2 Semprons are based on the Manilla core, and as such, will probably not share the same overclocking properties as their s754 cousins. Ive read many reviews and articles that say the AM2 Sempron actually performs worse than the s754 version... maybe something to think about. You may be better off just getting the Athlon 64 3000+.

Can you give me some links? If its just a couple points than Im not worried about it. Im gonna be upgrading from an 800mhz duron so one way or another its gonna be a lot better. I would get the athlon 64 but Im really short on money. As is Im allready overbudget(max was $230--Im at $250)

Quote: Originally Posted by eascarface Can you give me some links? If its just a couple points than Im not worried about it. Im gonna be upgrading from an 800mhz duron so one way or another its gonna be a lot better. I would get the athlon 64 but Im really short on money. As is Im allready overbudget(max was $230--Im at $250)

HA! i knew i'd find some1 thats short on cash too

oh, and if you wanna go cheaper on your psu, heres1.
a friend of mine bought 2, and its only $20!

oh and my friend has said they were pretty good

i wouldn't go with any sunbeam psu i have read some bad reveiws on them. and plus they are the bust then to use, if anything i would spend more money on my psu and save when you have more money for upgrades. if you are looking for great deals on bare bones rigs look at tigerdirect.com, they have huge sales and give huge rebates on them also. but they tind to me intels stuff

Quote: Originally Posted by eascarface but im not entirely sure about the ram.

I'm sure that RAM will be fine, G.Skill make good RAM generally.

If you've got a budget system and are looking to get the most out of it by overclocking, don't skimp on a cheap PSU. At best it'll just blow and you'll have to buy a new one, at worst it'll damage some of your components.

Quote: Originally Posted by reflux If you've got a budget system and are looking to get the most out of it by overclocking, don't skimp on a cheap PSU. At best it'll just blow and you'll have to buy a new one, at worst it'll damage some of your components.

That 450w Fortron would actually be really good.

Quote: Originally Posted by Zaltan That 450w Fortron would actually be really good.

Might I be allright with the 400w version?

Also Anandtech just posted a review on the Biostar Tforce590 and it seems to be an excellent overclocker. In the article it says that according to Biostar you can reach 3.0Ghz with a 2800+(which Im assuming is a sempron). Now I know I wont be able to get speeds as high with a 6100 but I have a feeling that I should still be able to get pretty high.

I used to run my computer on a Fortron Blue Storm 400w. Pretty similar spec PSU to the one your looking at, so I would say yes, it would work.

For Reference my spec was:
3200+ Venice
DFI nF4 Ultra-D
X800XL and a GTO2 later.
1GB RAM
2 x 12CM case Fans
160GB SATA2 HDD
DVD-RW
FDD

Quote: Originally Posted by eascarface Might I be allright with the 400w version? Also Anandtech just posted a review on the Biostar Tforce590 and it seems to be an excellent overclocker. In the article it says that according to Biostar you can reach 3.0Ghz with a 2800+(which Im assuming is a sempron). Now I know I wont be able to get speeds as high with a 6100 but I have a feeling that I should still be able to get pretty high.

The graphics you are using has absolutely no effect on how well you will be able to overclock your CPU.

I would very much listen to everyone's advice here and make sure you dont buy a crappy PSU. You can find a really useful PSU calculator here. Check that out and im sure it will be of some use.

There were some links going aroud the other day about a CPU and mobo deal using the Pentium D 805 for something like $125. That is one hell of a chip. Give the forum a quick hit with the search function and im sure you can find it.


Well i think thats about all of my pearls of wisdom lol


Mark

your PSU choice can severly limit overclockability. stable power = stable system. Crappy psu = unstable power unstable system. For stability i would suggest pc power and cooling Antec and Seasonic for a PSU choice they flucuate less and provide more consistant power for the overclocker. Also there is a handy dandy PSU calculator on here for download you can use to determine how many watts your gonna need.

http://files.pcapex.com/details.php?file=19

help that helps,
pyro
remember you get what u pay 4 with psu's

Quote: Originally Posted by disturbed_pyro pc power and cooling Antec and Seasonic for a PSU

There all High End choices though, and eascarface is on a tight budget. So, I'm going to say this. That 450w Fortron would be FINE for your system. I'd recommend it over the 400w version, as that might not be able to manage an X1800 card. Also the 450w is only $10 more...

dude check for combo deals there are good deals on the web if you get more parts from one suplier.
At tiger direct they have an athlon 64 3500 w/ ASUS A8N SLI socket 939 500w ultra x-finity psu masscool cpu fan (youll probably want a better one) and a so-so case for only 300$ which is pretty good, for a good mobo, good cpu and good psu.

but thats just my opinion im sure others would disagree

but budget setup is what i know and do pretty well, i built my settup comparable to one from premade companies like alienware, cyberpowerpc, dell, sony, for less than half than they wanted with a better gpu than they were offering (thanks to the people here who let me know i could sofmod a 9800se to a pro)
with parts i knew were good for less than 700$

hey i wasn't saying that would be a bad idea, i left him my reccomendations since he mentioned overclocking. That 450W fortran would probably do him just fine, but i threw out other names, you never know he may want to scrape the extra cash to get an antec. Its just another option i threw out. I know they are all high end solutions, in my mind easily worth the extra pennies.

Quote: Originally Posted by disturbed_pyro hey i wasn't saying that would be a bad idea, i left him my reccomendations since he mentioned overclocking. That 450W fortran would probably do him just fine, but i threw out other names, you never know he may want to scrape the extra cash to get an antec. Its just another option i threw out. I know they are all high end solutions, in my mind easily worth the extra pennies.

Sorry, I wasn't trying to get at you... I was just trying to clear the situation up.

Ok Ive finally got enough to order and Im going to order sometime tommorow.

Heres what Ive decided on:

Biostar Tforce 6100 AM2
FSP 400w PSU (Im going to start off with an AIW x800xl)
PQI TURBO DDR2 533 512mb (found good reviews--overclocks well and can maintain low timings)
AMD Sempron 64 2800+

Grand Total- $242.55: $2.45 under budget

Anything I should be deathly aware of before I order?

P.S 100th Post WOOT!

Quote: Originally Posted by markwalker84 There were some links going aroud the other day about a CPU and mobo deal using the Pentium D 805 for something like $125. That is one hell of a chip. Give the forum a quick hit with the search function and im sure you can find it. Mark

Look at this 4GHZ Intel Pentium D dual core! The basic components will fit in your budget

http://www.tomshardware.com/2006/06/...720/page2.html

AM-2 Sempron Review
http://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?pag...item=483&num=4

This is the link on poor performance
http://theinquirer.net/?article=31975 .

Unless you are wanting to be different, a regular 512k cache AMD 64 939 system will offer you more options and better performance for the same or less money.

With only 256K cache on the Sempron, there is less "Snap" to programs, it just cuts a bit too deep...
The Opterons and FX CPU's have 1MB of cache for a reason!

At the least, save up another 25$ and get the 3000+ AM-2, you will not regret it.

The new Intel Conroe is availalable in 2mb and 4mb versions, even the low end ones are showing AMDs AM2 FX-62 the door in the Benchmark races with much lower clock speeds!

Quote: Originally Posted by $SOLID$ Necro Look at this 4GHZ Intel Pentium D dual core! The basic components will fit in your budget http://www.tomshardware.com/2006/06/...720/page2.html AM-2 Sempron Review http://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?pag...item=483&num=4 This is the link on poor performance http://theinquirer.net/?article=31975 . Unless you are wanting to be different, a regular 512k cache AMD 64 939 system will offer you more options and better performance for the same or less money. With only 256K cache on the Sempron, there is less "Snap" to programs, it just cuts a bit too deep... The Opterons and FX CPU's have 1MB of cache for a reason! At the least, save up another 25$ and get the 3000+ AM-2, you will not regret it. The new Intel Conroe is availalable in 2mb and 4mb versions, even the low end ones are showing AMDs AM2 FX-62 the door in the Benchmark races with much lower clock speeds!

I knew from the start that this wouldnt be as good but Im planning on just using the sempron as a standin until september when conroe gets released and all the am2 prices drop severly. That way I'll be able to to pick up a 3800 X2 and give my mom the sempron. One way or another Im going to be upgrading for an 800mhz duron and 128mbs of ram to this so its gonna be a hell of lot better.

Anyways thanks for the review of the sempron though.